Aiming to capture 3 points with a dynamic style!

On Oct 1 (Sat), FC Tokyo played against Sanfrecce Hiroshima away on the founding anniversary of FC Tokyo.

In the previous match, Tanabe and Kono scored spectacular goals, and Hirayama, who came on as a substitute in the 90th minute, scored the go-ahead goal. However, in additional time, we suffered a devastating third goal and ended up with a draw. We dominated the game for a long period, scoring a league-high tying 3 goals this season against G Osaka. However, we couldn't stop the opponent's counterattacks and conceded 3 goals for the second consecutive game, resulting in a goal difference of "minus 2".

Shinoda coach said, "We want to clarify the first defender for this match. At the same time, by creating our own time, we want to grow as a team so that we can control the game a little more. We will correct the challenges that arise in each match and increase our maturity by shortening the term."

Furthermore, Coach Shinoda revealed that "Sota and Burns have been in excellent form recently," and during this week's practice, Hirayama will also have a chance to join the starting lineup. In order to enhance competition within the team, we want to encourage further efforts and improvement.

Hiroshima's 2nd stage is currently in 10th place, and 6th place overall. Since Sec. 7 (August 6th) against Nagoya, and Sec. 8 (August 13th) against Shonan, they have not had a winning streak, including the Levain Cup, and it can be said that they have not been able to ride the wave. In the previous match, they were able to push Urawa but failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities and suffered 3 goals against, resulting in a defeat.

However, FW Peter UTAKA has scored 18 goals and is currently at the top of the goal scoring rankings. His speed is of course impressive, and he is also skilled at making runs behind the defense. Tokyo wants to prevent any potential danger by containing the attacks from Hiroshima's MF Aoyama, and the combination play with shadow MF Chashima and MF Shibasaki.

Shun HIRAYAMA, who scored a goal in the previous match just before the end, starts for the first time in the 2nd stage. With a dynamic style, he aims to seize 3 points by assessing the situation and fighting.

EDION Stadium Hiroshima covered in thick clouds.
The match started at 19:00 in Tokyo, amidst occasional light rain conditions.

Both teams lacked a decisive factor and the first half ended scoreless.

4 minutes: Kawano, who received a pass from the left side, takes a left-footed shot in front of the area. However, it goes straight to goalkeeper Hayashi.
5 minutes: Nakajima, who received a pass from Higashi this time, shoots from the left side of the area. However, GK Hayashi saves it in front.
After that, Hiroshima passed the ball, but Tokyo showed a well-organized defensive formation with no gaps.

14 minutes: Hiroshima FW Peter UTAKA dribbles up the center and passes to MF Shibasaki in the area. Shibasaki shoots while turning around, but Akimoto calmly catches it.
19 minutes: Hiroshima DF Shiotani's long feed was responded by FW Peter UTAKA. He escaped behind the DF line, but Akimoto jumped out and caught it while colliding in the area.


28 minutes: Tokyo, who is pushing forward, crosses from Kajiyama, who drifted to the right, to the east side. Hirayama and Nakajima follow up on the ball headed by Higashi, but the shot is not well-meeted.
30 minutes: MF Aoyama, who stole the ball inside the opponent's territory, takes a shot near the area, but Morishige blocks it. Hiroshima picks up the loose ball, and FW Peter UTAKA tries to score a goal with his right foot from near the penalty arc, but the Tokyo DF blocks it with their body.
33 minutes: Higashi keeps the ball on the left side. Higashi passes to Tokunaga, who then connects with Nakajima. Nakajima, who made a move to the left side of the area, supplies a ground cross, but it narrowly misses Hirayama in front of the goal.

45 minutes: Tokunaga injures his right knee while running alongside MF Mikić. He is then carried off the pitch on a stretcher and leaves the field.
45 minutes + 1: Hashimoto substituted for Tokunaga, who got injured, and made a substitute appearance.
Both teams lack a decisive factor and the first half ends scoreless.

Snatch victory with Nakajima's dramatic goal at the end!

Tokyo's lineup consists of Hashimoto on the right side back and Muroya on the left side back.
47 minutes: Hiroshima vigorously sends long feeds towards FW Peter UTAKA, but Maruyama and Morishige respond by putting their bodies on the line.

58 minutes: Scene of right CK by kicker Satoru KAWANO. The cross to the goal area is blocked, but Kawano, who picked up the loose ball, courageously shoots from outside the area. However, he fails to hit the target.
62 minutes: Hiroshima makes their first substitution. MF Chajima is replaced by FW Miyayoshi.
Tokyo aims to attack the goal while expanding left and right. On the other hand, Hiroshima waits for a chance to counter-attack while pulling back into their own territory.
65 minutes: Hiroshima FW Peter UTAKA takes a powerful shot from approximately 25 meters in front of the goal. The ball goes wide to the right of the goal.
65 minutes: Tokyo makes their second substitution. Nathan BURNS is brought on to replace Shun HIRAYAMA.
67 minutes: Nathan BURNS receives the ball on the left side and passes it to Nakajima. Nakajima takes a powerful shot with his right foot from just outside the box, but it narrowly goes over the frame.

73 minutes: Nakajima and Nathan Burns play a one-two to enter the area. Nathan Burns' shot is blocked by Hiroshima DF, and Nakajima's shot from the rebound goes over the crossbar.
77 minutes: Hiroshima makes their second substitution. FW Peter UTAKA is replaced by FW Jin SATO.

81 minutes: Tokyo makes their final substitution. Satoru KAWANO is replaced by Hayu.
90 minutes: From the flow of Hiroshima's left corner kick, FW Sato volleys the ball. Akimoto reacts firmly and deflects it, escaping from a difficult situation with a great save.
85 minutes: Hiroshima makes their final substitution. MF Kashiwa is replaced by MF Taku SHIMIZU.

90+2 minutes: Nakajima receives a pass just outside the box. He outwits the opposing defender and takes a right-footed shot. It pierces the goal net and it's a goal! Tokyo takes the lead right before the end of the match!
Nakashima secures 3 points with a dramatic goal to lead the team to victory.

[Player Comments]
《Nakajima》
"I didn't have a complete image of breaking through with a one-two, but I was able to make that kind of play naturally within the attitude of heading towards the goal. Sometimes, when you think too much, it can be detrimental, so I think heading towards the goal first led to that scene."
It's been a while since I played a game with player Nathan BURNS, but we have built a good combination from our usual practice. He has speed and can break through to receive the ball behind the defense, so it's easier for me to move forward. I think it worked well against today's opponent. It was a good goal."

"Akimoto"
"It was a game like a battle of endurance, and we were able to withstand it well, which led to Shoya's wonderful goal. The whole team was able to defend well, and I'm really glad we won. Today's game was really tense, and we have been conceding a lot of goals recently, so I wanted to finish the game without conceding any goals. I think it's great that we were able to achieve that. We have had some really tough losses and draws recently, but we were able to win today with a score of 1-0, so I think the team can approach the Urawa game in a good atmosphere. The Urawa game might also be a battle of endurance, but first, we want to prepare ourselves well and aim to win at home without conceding any goals."

[Summary of Coach Yoshiyuki SHINODA's Press Conference]
"I am grateful to all the fans and supporters who have come from far away to support us until the end. Hiroshima is a truly organized and wonderful team, and we have been preparing for this week on how to control them. In terms of how to eliminate the two players in the shadow position, there were a few dangerous scenes where Chajima was left free in the beginning. In response to that, we were able to create time for the whole team to eliminate space and firmly bounce back Utaka's ball keeping with Morishige and Maruyama. I think we were able to move the game forward positively. The players never gave up until the end in this game of endurance, and they did their best with a single-minded determination. I feel that the players' and fans' never-give-up attitude led to Nakajima's goal. Finally, today is Tokyo Citizens' Day, and it is also the club's founding day, so it is also Tokyo Dorompa's birthday. It has truly become a celebratory day... I am being strongly told by the PR department (laughs)"

"Q&A"
Q=Regarding Akimoto's performance today, he showed multiple plays with amazing saves that gave courage to the defense.
"As you said, he closed it tightly and I think we were able to put pressure on the scene where he was shot in the middle. The approach of the defensive midfielder is something that we really want to tighten up, but the whole team was able to block the shooting lane. The scene where Akimoto caught the volley shot in the penalty area was a really good reaction and he helped us."

Q=Regarding player Tokunaga who got injured just before the end of the first half.
"Tokunaga seemed to have twisted his knee a little. We won't know for sure until we conduct an examination, but it seems to be bad."
I think it's not a minor injury, but I still don't know."

[Hiroshima - Coach Hajime Moriyasu's press conference summary]
"We also lost in the recent Urawa match, so I wanted to win in front of our home fans and supporters and see them happy with smiles at EDION Stadium Hiroshima. It was really disappointing. The game progressed with a 0-0 score and we had chances, but we couldn't score. That is a challenge we need to address from the Urawa match and work on. The last goal we conceded was after missing a clear opportunity, and I felt that we couldn't win and lacked strength. I think the players fought with the desire to win, but I haven't been able to work on aspects such as the balance of the game, how the game is played, the players' mental control, and tactical aspects. I reflect on that."